An unmissable challenge. In the sense of the show, but also of the classification, since Juventus and Rome, albeit for different reasons, cannot afford to lose points. The big match in Turin (at 20.45 pm) will pit Allegri's needs against those of Mourinho: this alone would be enough to foreshadow sparks, as always when the black and whites face the yellow and reds. In terms of standings, the Portuguese team is doing better, anchored in fourth place with 15 points, while that of Allegri, after three consecutive victories before the break (four including the Champions League), he absolutely needs to win to continue his comeback.
“They're ahead by 4 points, it's a very important match for us – confirmed Max in no uncertain terms – In the next seven races before the break we'll have to do well, this time we'll have to turn on the switch right away otherwise we risk getting badly hurt. They have technique and are dangerous off dead balls, they are a boring team to face: me against Mourinho? No, this is not a match between coaches…”.
"I'm pleased to greet him, I can't say that there is a great friendship between him and me but there is certainly respect, I like him as a person - he confirmed the Special One – Playing against a team like Juventus is always a challenge that I like. There are differences between us and them, we fight to win the Conference League, they fight to win the Champions League, I arrived three months ago, Allegri has more experience at Juventus. But we have to forget these things and try to win the game."
With the challenge of the press conferences over, it's time to think about the one on the field, where Juventus and Roma, just like all the others, will have to deal with the aftermath of the stop. Allegri should recover for the bench but has to again give up Dybala, as well as a Rabiot, positive for Covid: his 4-4-2 will thus see Szczesny in goal, Danilo, De Ligt, Bonucci and De Sciglio in defense, Cuadrado, Bentancur, Locatelli and Bernardeschi in midfield, Chiesa and Kean in attack.
Good news instead for Mourinho, who finds Abraham after the injury with England, even if only today's finishing will clarify his possible use: the Portuguese should line up a 4-2-3-1 with Rui Patricio in goal, Karsdorp, Mancini, Ibanez and Calafiori in the back , Cristante and Veretout in the midfield, Zaniolo, Pellegrini and Mkhitaryan behind the lone striker Shomurodov.
Interested spectator of the challenge, of course, Luciano Spalletti, who hopes to beat the Torino (18 pm) and then sit in an armchair to enjoy the big match of the evening without any anxiety about the standings. A possible but not obvious mission, because if it is true that the Azzurri have made a clear path up to now, it is also that the after-breaks are always insidious, especially when facing non-cartel opponents.
“Torino has a history of a team that fights, of a tough team, every time I have found a team that gives you battle – Spalletti warned – I would find no justification if we fought less than them. For the love that surrounds us, for what our fans expect from us, we talked about this”.
Milan's victory requires a similar response from Napoli as well, otherwise they will abdicate the championship throne. The blue coach is aware of the delicacy of the match, which is why he will rely on the best possible 4-3-3, with an eye only for Ospina and Lozano, who returned a few hours ago from South America: Meret in goal, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani , Koulibaly and Mario Rui in defense, Fabian Ruiz, Anguissa and Zielinski in midfield, Politano, Osimhen and Insigne in attack.
Juric instead he finds Belotti after more than a month, even if only for the bench, and cherishes the dream of the company with a 3-4-2-1 with Milinkovic-Savic between the posts, Djidji, Bremer and Rodriguez in the back department, Singo, Lukic, Mandragora and Aina in the midfield, Brekalo and Linetty behind the lone striker Sanabria.
Those who hope for some misstep by others are above all Atalanta, delayed by 4 points from the Champions area and determined to find themselves after a start to the season below expectations. The challenge of Empoli (15 pm) is very interesting, also because Andreazzoli's Tuscans, so far, have shown that they do not suffer from inferiority complexes towards the big ones. Gasperini is then grappling with several serious injuries, given that ai long-term caregivers Gosens and Hateboer they added Pessina (two months off) and Djimsiti (one): not the best for those who, between tonight and Wednesday (super challenge at Old Trafford with Ronaldo's Manchester United), play a good slice of the season.
“Empoli plays proactive and dynamic football, they have won three games, it's a historically difficult field and this year all the games are more balanced – the words of Gasperini – We need to raise the technical level, but mine is a team that produces goalscoring actions having also scored a couple at Inter and Milan. If the result isn't behind it, the performance may be judged negatively”.
The Nerazzurri coach wants to start racing again starting today and to do so he will rely on a 3-4-1-2 with Musso in goal, Toloi, Demiral and Palomino in defence, Zappacosta, De Roon, Freuler and Maehle in midfield, Pasalic on trocars, Malinovskyi and Muriel in attack. 4-3-1-2 for Andreazzoli, who will be looking for another excellent scalp with Vicario between the posts, Stojanovic, Romagnoli, Viti and Marchizza in the back, Haas, Stulac and Bandinelli in the midfield, Bajrami behind the offensive duo composed by Di Francesco and Pinamonti.
